the promotion
The Promotion belongs in that category of movie that has everything going for it (respectable cast, interesting idea, potential for uproarious comedic moments) but just doesn't amount to anything.
If you've not heard of this movie, the premise is this:
Here's the problem: hilarity never actually ensues. I kept waiting for the comedy to skyrocket, but it never sputtered past "mildly amusing".
At first glance, the cast seems outstanding: the two competitors are played by Seann William Scott (Stifler from American Pie) and John C. Reilly (Acadamy Award nominee for Chicago), and the cast is rounded out by Jenna Fischer (Pam on "The Office"), Lili Taylor, Fred Armisen (brings the funny on "Saturday Night Live"), and Gil Bellows (remember him from "Ally McBeal"? Hang on while my heart stops fluttering).
So why couldn't a great cast like that nudge this movie into more than a bland blob of blech?
Well... they are a great cast. They weren't so great in this, though. I was pleased to see no trace of the obnoxious, moronic Stifler in Seann William Scott's performance... but honestly, there was no trace of anything in Scott's performance. Bo-ring.
I was also expecting a lot from Armisen, being a big "SNL" fan, but his role wasn't even one-note; it was more like a quarter-note. Tired.
So, yeah. I left the theater bored. And tired.
If you've not heard of this movie, the premise is this:
- Hard-working, decent assistant grocery store manager wants promotion.
- Another, equally hard-working, decent assistant manager wants same promotion.
- Hilarity ensues.
Here's the problem: hilarity never actually ensues. I kept waiting for the comedy to skyrocket, but it never sputtered past "mildly amusing".
At first glance, the cast seems outstanding: the two competitors are played by Seann William Scott (Stifler from American Pie) and John C. Reilly (Acadamy Award nominee for Chicago), and the cast is rounded out by Jenna Fischer (Pam on "The Office"), Lili Taylor, Fred Armisen (brings the funny on "Saturday Night Live"), and Gil Bellows (remember him from "Ally McBeal"? Hang on while my heart stops fluttering).
So why couldn't a great cast like that nudge this movie into more than a bland blob of blech?
Well... they are a great cast. They weren't so great in this, though. I was pleased to see no trace of the obnoxious, moronic Stifler in Seann William Scott's performance... but honestly, there was no trace of anything in Scott's performance. Bo-ring.
I was also expecting a lot from Armisen, being a big "SNL" fan, but his role wasn't even one-note; it was more like a quarter-note. Tired.
So, yeah. I left the theater bored. And tired.
June 17, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Yikes, thanks for the heads up on this one. I expected about as much but probably could have been convinced to see it. Too bad for Minnesotan Seann William Scott,eh?
June 17, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Saw this this weekend as well. I think I came away feeling better than you did, but yeah, it was a bit of a letdown. Had a few moments, but left a lot of potential out there.
Gil's lookin' a little old now, no? Blading and grey? I was a bit shocked...granted, he's probably in his 40s now, but I guess I just hadn't seen him in a while.